Catastrophic flooding ravages parts of Cuba following exceptional rainfall
Extremely heavy rains hit central and eastern Cuba over the past couple of days, causing destructive flooding in which at least 6 people lost their lives.
Destructive floods cause major disruption across Cape Town, South Africa
Severe flooding caused by torrential rains hit Cape Town, South Africa on June 14, 2023, forcing the South African Weather Service (SAWS) to issue an Orange Level 6 warning. The storm caused significant traffic disruption, limited rail service, and substantial damage to properties and infrastructure across the city. The aftermath saw numerous roads flooded, a local factory and substation impacted, and various informal settlements and residential areas severely affected.
Severe thunderstorms, derecho threaten the Gulf Coast as heat intensifies in Texas
Severe storms are predicted to persist along a lingering boundary, primarily affecting the Gulf Coast states and Southeast on June 14, 2023. The greatest threats are very large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain with the potential for flooding. Texas, on the other hand, continues to experience building heat and humidity.
Severe hailstorms, flash floods hit Boulder, Colorado
A severe hailstorm accompanied by flash floods hit Boulder, Colorado on June 12, 2023, causing damage and leading to emergency rescues.
Lightning strikes claim 18 lives in several districts of Bangladesh
A series of lightning strikes and thunderstorms across several districts of Bangladesh on May 23 and 24, 2023, have resulted in severe weather-related incidents, particularly due to lightning. As of May 26, media reports indicate 18 fatalities and several injuries across different districts. More severe weather, including heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, is forecast over the whole country in the next 24 hours.
Extreme rainfall in southern Spain: A century record broken, massive disruptions reported
Southern Spain, including Andalusia, Murcia, and Valencia, experienced record-breaking rainfall on May 23, 2023, leading to severe flash flooding, widespread damage, and forcing many schools to close. The extreme weather event, which hasn’t been seen in a hundred years, particularly affected the areas of Murcia, Almería, and Alicante, with Ontinyent recording 127.4 mm (5 inches) of rain in just twelve hours.
Fatalities and damage reported as severe storm strikes Eastern Texas
Severe storms, including strong winds, thunderstorms, and heavy hailstorms, hit eastern Texas, particularly Montgomery County, on May 23, 2023. The extreme weather conditions have led to several incidents, resulting in two fatalities, seven injuries, and significant damage.
Severe storms hit Mongolia, resulting in 1 fatality, 16 missing, and significant toll on infrastructure and livestock
Strong winds, heavy dust, and snowstorms hit Mongolia starting on May 19, 2023, causing numerous casualties and significant damage to infrastructure.
State of local emergency in Auckland following heavy rainfall and flooding, New Zealand
A state of local emergency was declared by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown on May 9, 2023, due to severe floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. The MetService reported rain rates of 40 – 50 mm (1.6 – 1.9 inches) per hour in certain areas of Auckland, leading to significant disruption and causing over 200 weather-related emergency calls.
Heavy rains affect nearly 500 000 people, devastate crop fields in Jiangxi, China
Nearly 500 000 people in Jiangxi province were affected by heavy rains from Friday to Sunday, May 5 – 7, 2023, leading to the evacuation of around 14 000 residents and causing an estimated 520 million yuan ($75.2 million) in direct economic losses. China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters launched a level-IV emergency response for flood control on May 6. Rescue operations are underway.
